GOD'S EMINENT MERCY:

And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. Romans 5:16

    Consequently [God’s] pardon is perfectly free. He requires no price, and established no terms, except those simple ones which are imperatively demanded by the welfare of the beneficiary, as by the honor of him who pardons. Does he exact faith? This is inevitable; for how can the returning sinner be reconciled to the Father in whom he does not trust? How can the beggar receive the benefaction, except he shall, at least, reach out his hand to accept it when it is offered to him? And faith is no more than this trusting, this receiving. Hence, too it follows, that it can never claim the office of a price to purchase the gift, which it merely receives. Does God require a penitent obedience of him whom his mercy pardons? This also is as necessary for the sinner, as for God’s holiness. For sin is misery: and even omnipotence cannot make that creature truly happy, who continues to love transgression.

The Rev. Robert Lewis Dabney– 19th century Presbyterian minister & Bible scholar.